Cleaning pad for windshields



July 14, 1953 J. W. ANDERSON CLEANING PAD FOR WINDSHIELDS Filed July 29. 1947 3 Sheets-Sheet l JOHN W. ANDERSON INVENTOR.

ATT RNEY July 14, 1953 v .1.w. ANDERSON CLEANING PAD FOR wINnsHIELns 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 29, 1947 mmwww JNVENToR. JOHN W ANDERSON BY al/L/W/ ToRNY July 14, 1953 J. w. ANDERSON CLEANING PAD FOR wINDSHIELns 3 Sheets-Sheety 3 Filed July 29, 1947 JNVENToR. JOHN W. ANDERSON A ORNEY S/y J5 Patented July 14, 1953 l CLEANING PADV Fon WINDsnIELDs John WQ Anderson, Gary, IndQyassignor tofProductive Inventions, Inc.,l av corporation of In- 7 diana Application July 29, 194'7, serial No. 764,343

17 claims. ,(01, v"1s-fit1) The present invention yrelates generally to cleaning devices and more particularly is directed to a pad, embodying improved principles of Adesign and construction, for cleaning automotive windshields and other surfaces.

The prompt and effective cleaning of windshields at gasoline service stations is desirable in that it saves the time of the attendant and the customer and promotes safe driving by improving driving vision through the windshield.

Many different materials and methods have been employed in an effort to obtain maximum results. Materials and methods which serve with reasonable satisfaction under ordinary conditions fail to perform effectively under extreme conditions frequently encountered as' a result of seasonal influences.

Among the most difficult extraneous matter necessary to remove from windshields are dried bug anatomy, sticky sap-like deposits excreted from trees, road muck splashed by passing cars from sloppy, dirty pavements, and oil film deposited on the windshield in various ways, in-V cluding the careless use of oily rags for wiping windshields, the use of oily solvents sprayed on the windshield to facilitate cleaning, and oil mist deposited from the vapor of the exhaust of cars ahead in traflic, particularly from cars the motors of which are pumping oil.

Contrary to the popular conception, commercial glasssuch as is used in windshields, has a degree of porosity, which adds to the difficulty of removing extraneous matter. Perhaps the most stubborn of all such matter is oil film and similar films which accumulate, slowly and almost imperceptibly, but which cause smearing under the windshield wiper blade the instant it begins to storm and the wiper is put into` operation.

Experience has taught that, properly supplemented, under certain conditions, water is in all respects the best fluid for use in cleaning windshields, in part because it provides adequate lubrication for the cleaning device and also readily accepts the extraneous matter, in suspension or in solution.

Various devices for use with water have been practiced but all have been lacking in some particular characteristics essential to maximum results.

One particular object of the invention is to provide a cleaning pad comprised of felt or equivalent material provided with means in the form of supporting elements of a unique charaeter which are constructed and arranged to assist in readily removing from the glass even extraneous 'matter of all kinds.

An important r,object of the subject invention is to provide a device with intercommunicating l -2 the most stubborn `of internal cavities to provideareservoir so that an extra supply of water may be effectively stored to .assist in the scouring or cleaning operation, principally in two ways. The water in the reservoir feeds -out byv capillarity through the felt members on either side of the supports. Without the supply of water in the reservoir, the` only water available would be whatever water might soak into the Vfeltfrom its outer surfaces.y ,Secondly, waterfrom the yreservoirfmay be released by the operator, when needed, by the simple expedient of rolling or liftingthe finger or thumb from all or a part ofthe area of the side vents shown. All the cavities are intercommunicating and communicate with each of the vents i6.

It will be noted in one of the modifications of the invention that walls formed by holes through the wick member 3 and by the two supports 4 and 5 form enclosedcavities into which water may pass through strainers. This action tends to filter or screen from the water any dirt Vor other vex-` traneous matter, so that there is supplied, tothe wick and other felt members, water substantially clear and readily capable of penetration by'capil# larity through the wickl to` the' surface to be cleaned. l

AAnother object of the invention is the provision of squeegee or wiping members for wiping or removing all the Vsurplus water from the surthat the cleaning face, or edge, of the felt and supporting elements be maintained substantiallyv inpredeterrnined positions for effective contact withthe glass. Other objects and advantages of the invention reside in its simplicity of structure, economyofy manufacture and assembly, durability, and reli-` ability of performance.

yAdditional objects and advantages of the invention will become lapparent after considering the description hereinafter set forth in conjunction with the drawing annexed hereto.

In the drawing-Figures l through 12 illustrate the preferred embodiment or construction of the invention, Figure 1 illustrating a top view of the assembly, portions of which have been broken away to show structural details;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view taken substantially on line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an end view of the pad showing its application to a surface'to be cleaned; i

Figure 4 is an end view of the 4pad similar to of the assembly; I

Figure 8 is a perspective view of one of a pair taining members; ofFr'egure 9 is a perspective view of the wiclc or inner layer or ply of water absorbent material;

Figure 10 is a perspective view of one of a pair of squeegee elements;

Figure 11 is a perspective view of one of four supports preferably constituting parts of the as- Serlxlibglire 12 is a perspective view of one of a pair of outer layers or plies of felt-like material;

Figure 13 is a top view of a second embodiment of the invention, portions of which have been broken away Yto better illustrate structural detauFligure 14 is an end view .of .the device .of 'Figure 13 showing its application to a surface to be cleaned;

Figure 15 is alongitudinal sectional view taken substantially on Vline I5-l5 of Figure 13;

Figure 16 is a perspective view of one of a plurality of members of a particular character which may be employed as a combined abrader and filter element; and

Figure .17 is a perspective view of one of a plurality of members similar to the one illustrated in Fig-ure 16.

As exemplified in Figures 1 through 12 ofltthe there is held securely be Ween a rdmwmgs 3 of water conducting felt nate layers I, 2, and or other water absorbing -or conducting material, a pair of relatively thin flexible dirt-removing supporting elements 4 and 5, preferably constructed Vfrom some desirable commercial plastic material, which present their edge extremities to the surface to be cleaned, substantially in the plane of the outer edges or working faces of the felt.

The felt members are preferably formed with a row of four aligned transverse openings to provide chambers 6, 1, 8, and 9 which serve as a reservoir for the internal storage of Water, The aggregate of the areas of the walls of the holes through the felt expose a maximum of thefelt to the absorption of water from the reservoir.. Retaining members III are preferably positioned against the exterior surfaces of the outer layers of felt and are preferably provided with a row of four interned tubular means II which engage the openings in the outer layers of felt for'the purpose of resisting displacement thereof. A pair of corresponding supporting elements I2 are positioned against the retaining members I0 and also engage portions of the outer layers of felt as depicted in Figure 2. bear against the supports I2.

Substantially fiat pieces of rubber I4 or other similar resilient pieces of material overlie the straiiiers I3 and supports I2 and serve as squeegees. Side plates I5 bear against the rubber. Vent openings I6 are provided in the side plates and are preferably communicatively .connected with the chambers 6 through fl, through a row of three apertures I 7 provided in each rubber piece, and rows of three apertures in the supports.

The felt, supports, retaining members, strain- .ers and rubber squeegees are held securely in operative position by the side plates and bolts or rivets IB which extend through holes provided therefor in the parts of the device to maintain the entire assembly in operative relationship. Rivets AI8 have at each of their ends a flared-over portion which engages adjacent side plates I5, respectively, offering no resistance to a movement of the side plates I5 toward each other under normal pressures for the purpose of facilitating discharge of water outwardly from the felt members I, 2, and 3.

rIhe supports 4 and `5 are spaced apart by the intermediate layer of melt 3 which acts as a wick. Water entering the reservoir and space between these supports is closely screened and filtered by the strainers I3 so that extraneous matter does not pass freely into such reservoir and/or space. This is important because the water in such reservoir may carry a minimum of suspended matter which might find its way into the reservoir chambers due to possible failure on the part of the operator to maintain clean water in which to keep the device submerged. By filtering the Water which enters the reservoir, that water flows more freely down .the wick 3 and outwardly through the outer felt layers toward the windshield to assist .in lubricating the cleaning action and in keeping all the supports free from extraneous particles.

VBetween uses the device is kept submerged in Water. In submersion the felt becomes saturated and the reservoir lls with water. The 0perator may close the vent holes in the side plates with thumb and finger, if desired, to retain a maximum supply of water for heavy duty service. In the operation of the device, a part of the Water from the reservoir passes through the felt to assist in lubricating the supports and in keeping them flushed free from extraneous particles, perhaps sufciently abrasive to scratch the windshield if retained and embedded. The outer edges of the supports are disposed preferably in or under the plane of the outer edges of the two squeegees when their relative positions have been established by use of the device. Only under extreme conditions is it necessary to apply to the device enough pressure to cause the supports actually to contact the glass.

As the device is drawn across the windshield, as exemplified in Figure 3, under normal cleaning pressure, the felt and supports are flexed or displaced. Under the pressure required to remove extraneous matter, the felt, squeegees and supports have a tendency alternately to relieve their pressures against each other and/or slightly separate. This movement not only facilitates the self-cleaning action of the wet parts or members in contact with the glass but also provides a device in which the parts may separately or jointly laterally adjust themselves to irregularities in the glass, thereby improving the effective- Strainers I3 ness of the cleaner'. It will'be apparent that the opposite longitudinal working" faceY or edge I9 of the device may be used Atoiadyantageinr cleann ing a surface thatmayunotfbe sufficiently dirty to require' the Vuse of "the ie'dges offythe rubber, the supports, or the constrained felt adjacent the opposite workingface. f. It will beevident that the end working faces or edges 20 of the device Inay'also'bev employed for convenience in reaching restrictedareas.

In the event that additional water is required for the surface ofthe windshield, the operator may facilitate its discharge from the reservoir by the simple act of sliding or rolling a thumb and/or finger slightly t0 open one or both of the vents I6. If the reservoirbecomes empty and the water absorbing members are well saturated, an additional supplyv of water for cleaning purposes may be obtained by merely squeezing inwardly such members to .compress the felt and free any excessof water. Such squeezing action also serves to ush and clean the members of foreign matter. The operation pressures can be applied by the operatorinthe course of the squeegee operation /thanfrvould' be possible where thereare no resilientlabutm'ents for the rubber as described; Thi`adjacent"sup portsA I2 serve respectively .as spring-like vsupports for the inner sidesfand thewiping edges of the squeegees I4, and serve also to holjdthe' felts I, 2 and`3 against mashing out Ofshape-:is

yIn the course of usageover a longperiod'vthe felt members andthe supports tend to wear; To readilypermit this wear with aiminimum-of ine terference, the opposite edges `22` ofthe vrubber elements may be disposed a substantialdistance away from the plane ofthe longitudinal edge 'for facey I9 of thedevice as mentioned above.` .It will'be noted, however, `that these oppositee'dges lie'beyond-and outside` 'of the side plate so @asto prevent such wear from finally exposing the edge of such plate tothe glass. lIt is desirable that' the side plates be made 'substantially rigidffin of loosening completely all extraneous matter from a large and stubbornly fouled Windshield with this device is accomplished readily in less than 60 seconds. Attention isdirected to the fact that by reversing the movements ofr the device alternately when inY contact'with' the glass, the wet felt also alternately presses against and de.-` parts from the supports so that a pumpingor suction action takes place against the supports.

This action further assists to prevent accumulaf tion of extraneous matter on the supports. Such accumulation is also prevented bythe supplying of water through thecapillary action of the felt members-particularly through the intermediate felt member 3 which spaces the supports 4 and 5 apart.

It is to be understood that valved vents ofv well known types, other than those illustrated, Y

may be satisfactorily employed to control the flow of water from the reservoir.

Under conditions Where speed in cleaning, .accompanied byrmaximum clarity of kthe glass after cleaning, is desirable, as at very busy gas stations where koften ,hundreds ofl windshields are cleaned in a single working day, the. squeegee elements I4, in cooperation with other parts of the assembly, extraneous matter on the windshieldhas been loosened, to quickly squeegee kthe glass underr heavy manual pressures, which pressures compel a substantially complete removal, from the surface of the glass, of all water and all matter in solution or suspension, leaving the glass in condition to provide clearer and safer driving vision.

It will be noted that one of the longitudinal edges 2| of each squeegee is disposed substantially in the plane of one of the two working edges or faces of the device. edge 22 of each squeegee is disposed a distance remote from the plane of the opposite edge` or face of the device. The work ends of each rubber squeegee are preferably disposed in or near the 'plane of the working ends of the device.

enable the operator, lonce all the carded. 'I'his 'creates added cost.

character in order tov'impart-stability to the' de` vice. y 'L 'z The squeegee elements enable ythe 'operator to remove substantially completely from the'r glass at a single stroke and with no perceptible residue. left on the glass, all watery and other matter. The preferred operation is4 first to .bring V,the

squeegee horizontally across the topmost portion; y

of the glass. Accumulated matter is gwippedoff the squeegee by stroking rof' a clothN held in the opposite'hand of theoperator between each strokel of the squeegee.' The second stroke-iislower on thewindshield and slightly overlaps the area covered by the first stroke so that no streak-z f ing occurs. The strokes lare continued'until the bottom of theiwindshield is reached, whereupon the operation is completed. 'l

Without the use of the squeegee elements above described,'it is necessaryfor the operator' to remove the water and lextraneous vr'natter either 'with a separate squeegee,which'meansA he must lose timeand motion *in discarding-'one tool and picking' up theothenor theoperator must clean the glass with a ragora paper towel or some similar device." Rags used to wipewi'rid# shields become loaded quickly withmatter .from the windshield andfmust be laundered ior `dis- K When fouled: rags are continued yin usey as usually happens; they tend to leave behind on the windshield"` a lm usually containing Voil-like substances. fThat film clouds the glass under the wiper blade when a storm begins andthe wiperr is .put into operation. 'I'his clouding or smearing of the glass y often continues for several minutes, jeopardizing The other longitudinal the safety of the vehicle, its-operator `and its passengers. I

Paper towels must be discarded afterone use.' Thus is created extra' cost and waste, which is prevented by the use of 'the subject inventionwhen equipped 'with squeegee' elementsy as yabove described.

In' theembodiment of the inventionwexemplied in Figures l3through 17 of the drawing, theparts illustrated in `Figures 15,. 6, 8,'-=9, 10, and 12l are employed, including pairs' of abraders 23`and 24, thelatter being used in-*lieu ofthe supportsforming parts of thepreferred'con-z struction. In this embodiment there is^-held securelybetween the alternate layersyoffeltpa pair of corresponding kwoven-relatively thinl abraders 23,- preferably metallic, which presentf their abrasive .extremities tojthe surface torbe.

7 cleaned substantially-in the planes of all of-the outer edges or working faces of the device. 'An additional pair of corresponding metallic abraders 2l,v of a width somewhat less vthan vthat o! the abraders 23, are preferably disposed Vbey tween the rubber squeegees and' felt cleaning members. so that one longitudinal edge of each abrader 24 is arranged to engage thevsurface to be cleaned. Otherwise described, the extremitiesof all four abraders are presented for abrasive action adjacent one longitudinal Working edge or face of the device including' the end working faces, whereas the opposite `longitudinal face is provided with only one pair of abraders. 'I'he abraders 24 also support the felt members and serve to filter the water prior to its entry into the reservoir and the abraders 23 provide means for further filtering the water entering the intermediate wick member. The abraders are preferably cross-woven and may take the form of a wire screen of a character which will not scratch the glass. To prevent frayin'g and to expose a maximum of strands at the edges of the device, the abraders are so constructed and arranged that substantially all strands are positioned preferably at substantially a 45 degree angle to the surface of the windshield when normally in contact therewith. This arrangement of strands greatly facilitates the performance of the device and greatly prolongs its emciency.` In the operation of the device, a part'of the water from the reservoir follows the woven abraders toassist in lubricating their action and in keeping them flushed free from extraneous particles, "perhaps suiciently abrasive to scratch vthe windshield if retained and embedded. More specifically in this respect, a portion of the water in the' reservoir moves toward the outer edges of Athe abraders through capillary action of the small alternately offset interstices between strands of the .abraders, all of which additionally assists in lubricating and flushing them clean.

While I have shown and described my inven tion in connection vwith certainspecified ern-v bodiments, itwill, of course, be understood that I do not wish to be limited'thereto, since it is apparent that modifications may be made in such embodiments and the materials thereof Without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention as set forth in the appended claims.

I claim: 1

1. A cleaning device comprising a center ply member of felt material, relatively rigid members engaging the outer faces of said center member and supporting the latter, outer ply members of like material engaging the outer faces of said supporting members, additional relatively rigid supporting membersv engaging the outer faces of said outer ply members, squeegee members engaging the outer surfaces of said supporting members, side plates engaging said squeegee members, and rivet means extend` ing through said members and connected to said plates for holding the members assembled.V

2. A cleaning device comprising a body of felt material provided with a reservoir, a iiat strainer provided adjacent said reservoir, a squeegee element and a side member arranged in a flat condition with said body, an aperture provided in said side member and in said squeegee element communicating with said reservoir,` and means passing through said body and connected to said side member for holding the body, strainer and squeegee assembled.

3. A cleaning device comprising superimposed layers of felt, transverse openings provided in said layers forming a reservoir for water, a scraper member arranged between said layers and intersecting said reservoir, and means extending through the device spaced from its marginal edges for securing the layers and member in assembly.

4. A window cleaning device comprising a body of felt provided with a pair of working faces for engaging a surface to be cleaned, members arranged substantially within the confines of said body for supporting same and having edges disposed substantially in the same planes as the Iworking faces of the body, and a rubber squeegee overlying one side of the body, one edge of said squeegee being disposed substantially in one of the planes aforesaid for wiping the said surface and another edge spaced from the other pla-ne to expose a side portion of the body for contact withv such surface.

5. A cleaning pad of a size to be embraced by the hand, said pad comprising a body of felt provided with -a pair ofworking faces for engaging a surface to be cleaned, members arranged substantially within the confines of said body for supporting same and having edges disposed substantially in the same planes as the working faces of the body, a squeegee overlying one side of the body, one edge of said squeegee being disposed substantially in one of the planes aforesaid for wiping the said surface and another edge spaced from the other plane to expose a sidev portion of the body for contact with such surface, a reservoir for Water providedV in said body, a side plate overlying said' squeegee and provided with a vent engageable by a digit of the hand for controlling the iiow of water from the reservoir to the operating faces of the body, the edges of the supporting members, and to said one edge of said squeegee, and means passing through said pad for holding the parts in assembly.

6. A cleaning device for windows comprising a body constructed of superimposed layers of felt, a relatively rigid dirt-removing element arranged between and supporting said layers, an opening provided in one of said layers, side plates overlying the outer surfaces of said layers, means passing through said side plates, said layers, and said dirt-removing element Ifor holding the same assembled, and means disposed between said one layer and one of said side plates cooperating with the opening in said la-yer acting to prevent displacement of such layer.

7. A cleaning device comprising a substantially fiat wick member, a pair of dirt removing members overlying the opposite sides of said wick member, a pair of water absorbent members overlying said dirt removing members, opening providedY in said absorbent members and said wick member forming a reservoir for water, retaining members engaging said absorbent members and provided with means engaging the openings in said absorbent members assisting to prevent displacement of the latter, squeegee members bearing against said retaining members and provided with apertures communicating with the reservoir, side plate members abutting said squeegee members and provided with vents engageable by an operator to control the iiow of Water from the reservoir through the wick member and absorbent members, and means extending through the device and connected to the said side plate members for holding all of the members in assembly.

8. A cleaning device comprising a body of vfelt or the like, a dirt removing member carried by said body, a reservoir for water in said body, and a wick arranged alongside said dirt removing member, said member providing means for iiltering the water prior to its entry into the reservoir and passage into the wick.

9. A cleaner assembly comprising a substantially flat wick provided with a transverse opening, and dirt removing elements of stranded material disposed across the ends of said opening for ltering water that may pass into said opening.

10. A cleaning pad for windows comprising a water-absorbent body, provided with a face adapted to engage a surface to be cleaned, a woven wire screen member disposed in said body and arranged so that substantially all of the ends of the strands along one edge of such member are disposed adjacent the face of the body for yengagement with a surface to be cleaned.

11. A cleaning device for windows provided with felt-like water-absorbing members between which is Aheld a substantially flat woven wire screen dirt removing member having substantially rectangular mesh and comprised of two interwoven series of parallel strands and having a substantially straight edge constructedand arranged to contact, adjacent the plane of the edges of said felt members, said series of strands each being normallyvarranged at an angle with relation to the edge of said dirt removing member and in the plane of said member. v

12. vA cleaning device comprising a pair of water absorbent members, a dirt removing element disposed therebetween, a retaining member engaging one of said members, a strainer engaging said retaining member; a squeegee element engaging said strainer, a side plate engaging said squeegee element, a vent provided in the side plate through which liquid may enter and pass through the strainer and means extending through the parts aforesaid for holding the same assembled.

13. A cleaning device comprising a center ply of felt material, dirt removing members engaging the opposite sides of said center ply, an additional pair of felt plies engaging said dirtremoving members, retaining members engaging the outer faces of said additional felt plies, strainers engaging said retaining members, squeeg'ee elements engaging said strainers, side plates engaging said squeegee elements, a vent provided in each side plate through which liquid may enter and pass through the strainer, and means extending through the parts aforesaid for holding the sam assembled.

14. A generally rectangular cleaning pad comprising three stacked layers of water absorbent material, supports of nonabsorbent material for said layers disposed on opposite sides of the intermediate layer, resilient squeegee members farranged at the outer sides of the outer layers, plates overlying the squeegee members, and means connected to said plates for holding the layers, supports, members and plates assembled.

15. A cleaning device comprising layers of felt, a member disposed between and supporting said layers, one of said layers being provided with an opening through which a liquid may enter into such layer, side plates, an aperture in one of said side plates whereby liquid may pass into said opening, and a pair of independent means, solid in cross-section, extending 'through and connecting the plates for holding the layers, member and plates together. i

16. A cleaning device comprising layers oi water-absorbent material, openings forming a reservoir in said layers, members engaging said lay-V ers and provided with'tubular portions projecting into said openings for holding the membersand layers against relative movement, side plates, and

References Citedin the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS n Number Name Date 188,670 Poole Mar. 20, 1877 439,331 Sullivan et al Oct. 28, 1890 445,701 l Lee Feb.k 3, 1891 464,843 Bagger Dec. 8, 1891 701,441 Williams June 3, 1902 755,380 Montgomery Mar. 22, 1904 834,667 Flynn Oct. 30, 1906 850,814 Burdett Apr. 16, 1907 1,034,950 Axsion Aug. 6, 1912 1,153,095 Martin Sept. 7, 1915 1,180,957 rIlanenbaum et al. Apr. 25, 1916 1,640,924 Cook Aug. 30, 1927 1,744,254 Zaiden Jan. 21, 1930y 1,827,121 Trane Oct. 13, 1931 1,874,758 Ketchledge et al. Aug. 30, 1932 1,887,447 Balinger Nov. 8, 1932 1,888,326 Mullen Nov. 22, 1932- 1,977,483 Koukal Oct. 16, 1934 2,036,449 Weatherhead Apr. 7,1936 2,050,920 Bujnicki Aug. 11, 1936 2,083,551 Balinger June 15, 1937 `2,154,373 Bulleigh Apr. 11, 1939 2,266,962 Drucks Dec. 23, 1941 2,318,016 Schlegel May 4, 1943 2,507,619 Anderson May 16, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS Number kCountry Date 284,482 Great Britain Feb.2,`1928 422,208

Great Britain of 1935VK 

